engleski

Changes in the fatty acid composition and cholesterol content in erythrocytes after supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Croatian war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease, which occurs as a consequence of exposure or direct witnessing of a traumatic event. A significant correlation between disturbed lipid metabolism, especially essential fatty acids, and the development of psychiatric diseases, including PTSD, has been confirmed. In Croatia, there is still a high percentage of population, mainly war veterans, suffering from PTSD caused by tragic events during the Homeland war (1990-1995). The goal of this study was to analyze fatty acids composition and cholesterol content in erythrocytes of Croatian war veterans with PTSD, and to determine the effects of the nutritional supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for 3 months. The study included 18 male patients aged between 40 and 61 years, divided into two groups: a) treated group (n = 10) consumed 2000 mg of n-3 PUFA supplement ; and b) control group (n = 10) without supplementation. For total cholesterol determination in erythrocytes, spectrophotometric method was used. Fatty acid composition was determined by a gas chromatography. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids caused a significant decrease in the content of cholesterol in erythrocytes of PTSD patients, while no significant changes were found in the composition of fatty acids. It is likely that prolonged supplementation will be required to make detectable changes in membrane lipids.

cholesterol, Croatian Homeland war, essential fatty acids, post-traumatic stress disorder, n-3 PUFA supplementation

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